NC Senate panel changes product liability bill

A Senate panel has rejected proposals that would have made it harder for North Carolinians to sue manufacturers.

Senators voted Tuesday to remove a provision that would exempt manufacturers from liability over its products, as long as the products met all government regulations when they were sold.

They also removed a provision governing lawsuits on asbestos and silica exposure.

Several people asked the committee to strike down the liability proposal that, especially as it relates to pharmaceuticals. Opponents said that it would prohibit consumers from suing a company if they were harmed by its medical products. They noted that the Food and Drug Administration does not always effectively clear products of serious risks before they are used.